Catheter assembly

ABSTRACT

Devices and methods are provided to conduct fluid away from or deliver fluid to an area of a treatment site of a patient&#39;s body. In one aspect of the invention, a catheter includes a terminal end with a fluid exchange portion. The terminal end may further include a diffuser. The terminal end may further include a barrier.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 12/667,870, filed Jul. 2, 2008, herein incorporated byreference. This application claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/385,309, filed Sep. 22, 2010; U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/450,096, filed Mar. 7, 2011; and U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 61/494,822, filed Jun. 8, 2011, each of which is hereinincorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to devices and methods for transporting fluid toor from a treatment site of a patient's body.

BACKGROUND

Many medical procedures benefit from transporting fluid to or from atreatment site of a patient's body. Devices for transporting fluid in amedical procedure are generally referred to as catheters. They may beused to provide drainage or administer treatment fluids. For example,catheters may be used to drain fluids from organs or from areas ofabnormal fluid collection such as in a surgical wound following asurgical procedure. Catheters may also be used to deliver fluid to atreatment site to provide a vast range of therapies from cancertreatment to nutritional supplementation. A few exemplary therapiesinclude stimulating tissue growth, administering antibiotics, flushingaway impurities, killing or halting the reproduction of cancer cells,and relieving pain.

Catheters may be used in gravity driven arrangements such as with acollection container located below the treatment site or a medicationcontainer located above the treatment site. Likewise, catheters may beused in pressurized arrangements. For example, suction may be applied toa drainage catheter to draw fluids away from the treatment site. Suctiondevices may include elastomeric bulbs, spring actuated bellows,electromechanical vacuum pumps, and other known medical suction devices.Pressurized fluid may also be delivered through a catheter to thetreatment site. For example, fluid infusion devices may include manualsyringes, elastomeric infusion devices, spring loaded infusion devices,electromechanical infusion devices, and other known infusion devices.

Typical prior catheters are linear devices having one or more openingsformed along a portion of their length through which fluid passes. Theyoften perform poorly due to an inability to drain fluids from or deliverfluids to a sufficiently large area to encompass the entire treatmentsite. In addition, tissue folds and tissue apposition further affect themovement and collection of fluid making it difficult for prior cathetersto adequately address the treatment site.

For example, where a treatment site encompasses a two or threedimensional treatment area, prior drainage catheters are only able todrain fluid from a relatively small, linear portion of the treatmentarea often leaving behind pockets of fluid.

Similarly, prior infusion catheters only deliver treatment fluid to arelatively small, linear portion of the treatment site leaving much ofthe site untreated. Prior infusion catheters may also deliver too muchtreatment fluid to a relatively small area resulting in pooling oftreatment fluid or contact with non-target tissues. For example,infusion catheters may be used to deliver pain relieving medicationdirectly to a surgical site to provide, for example, post-operativerelief of pain resulting from a surgical intervention. If, for example,the medication does not reach tissue disrupted during the surgicalintervention, it may not relieve the pain. Alternatively, if theanesthetic is delivered indiscriminately, undesired interactions mayoccur with local structures such as, for example, spinal nerves or vitalorgans.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the invention provide devices and methods to conduct fluidaway from or deliver fluid to an area of a treatment site of a patient'sbody. Fluid delivered to a treatment site will be referred to astreatment fluid and may be any material delivered to the treatment siteto obtain a desired effect. For example treatment fluid may be water,saline, antibiotics, antiviral agents, hormones, growth factors,anti-inflammatories, analgesics, anesthetics, and/or any other materialuseful in treating a patient. For example, anesthetics may includemarcaine, rupivicaine, bupivacaine, and/or any other anesthetic orcombinations thereof.

The devices and methods of the illustrative examples maybe used in avariety of patient interventions. For example they may be used todeliver fluids to or remove fluids from a surgical site. For examplethey may be used to deliver medications to remove post-operative pain ordrain fluids from a post-operative wound. Examples of such surgicalprocedures include surgery of the head, neck, chest, back, abdomen, andthe extremities. Examples include general surgery, cosmetic surgery,joint surgery, and spine surgery. However, it will be apparent to onehaving skill in the art that the disclosed devices and methods may beused to treat a variety of other conditions by drainage of fluids fromand delivery of fluids to a treatment site.

In one aspect of the invention, a catheter includes a first orconnection end and an opposite, second or terminal end. A fluid conduitextends between the connection end and the terminal end for passingfluids. The terminal end includes a fluid exchange portion. The fluidexchange portion may include a hollow body having a wall defining theterminal end of the fluid conduit and one or more openings formedthrough the wall for passage of fluid between the fluid conduit and anexterior of the conduit. The catheter may include more than one fluidconduit. Multiple fluid conduits may provide the same or differentfunctions. For example, the catheter may have one or more infusionconduits to conduct treatment fluid to a treatment site and one or moreaspiration conduits to conduct fluids away from a treatment site.Infusion and aspiration conduits may be incorporated in the samecatheter or they may be provided in separate catheters placedindependently at a treatment site.

Conduits may be made of any suitable biocompatible material. Forexample, conduits may be made of a biocompatible polymer. For example,conduits may be made of a heat settable elastic polymer. For example,the conduit may be made of or contain a thermoplastic elastomer such asa styrenic block copolymer, polyolefin, thermoplastic polyurethane,thermoplastic copolyester, thermoplastic polyamide, and/or their variousblends. For example, the conduit may contain or be made of a polyetherblock amide or PEBA. PEBA is available from Arkema under the tradenameof PEBAX®.

The terminal end may include a diffuser having an outer surface. Thediffuser may include a plurality of independent channels able totransport fluid between the conduit and discrete portions of the outersurface. The diffuser may include a network of interconnected pores ableto distribute fluid throughout the diffuser and the outer surface. Thediffuser may be permanently secured to the terminal end or removablysecured to the terminal end. The diffuser may be placed separately atthe treatment site independent of the terminal end. A separately placeddiffuser may wick fluid to or from an area defined by an exteriorsurface of the diffuser. The diffuser may be resorbable or durable. Thediffuser may be made of polymers, ceramics, metals, plant tissue, animaltissue, and/or other suitable materials. The diffuser may includefibers, fabric, sponge, textures and/or other suitable diffusingstructures. For example, the diffuser may include a textured surface.The surface may be textured by stamping, knurling, roughening, and/or byother suitable means. The surface may also be textured by forming raisedlines, bumps, ridges, and/or other suitable features. The texture mayinclude fibers. The diffuser may include a network of fibers able toconduct fluid within, along, or between the fibers. The fibers may beadhered to a surface or free standing. For example, the network may bemade by weaving, knitting, braiding, felting, bonding, and/or othersuitable textile process. For example, the diffuser may include a fabricmade of woven synthetic fibers in a generally planar arrangement andpositionable between opposing tissues to transport fluid over anextended area by wicking fluid along and between the fibers viacapillary action.

The terminal end may include a barrier to fluid flow to impede fluidflow in specific predetermined directions. The barrier may be connectedto the one or more conduits to bias fluid flow in a preferentialdirection or to impede fluid flow in a non-preferential direction. Thebarrier may be permanently secured to the terminal end or removablysecured to the terminal end. The barrier may be separate from theterminal end and placed relative to the terminal end to isolate selectedportions of the patient's anatomy from the fluid flow. The barrier may,for example, impede fluid flow by juxtaposition of a fluid imperviousstructure and/or by absorption of fluid. The barrier may be maderesorbable or durable. The barrier may be made of polymers, ceramics,metals, plant tissue, animal tissue, and/or other suitable materials.The barrier may be in the form of a block, sheet, film, layer, and/orother suitable form adapted or adaptable to the anatomic site where thebarrier function is desired. The barrier may be provided pre-shaped andsized for a particular application and/or it may permit intraoperativeshaping and sizing by the user. For example, the barrier may be made ofa thin polymer film. In another example, the barrier may be made ofcollagen forming a relatively fluid impervious membrane. The barrier maybe coupled to a diffuser to provide fluid flow through portions of thediffuser while blocking fluid flow through other portions of thediffuser.

The barrier and/or diffuser may separate tissue layers at the treatmentsite and maintain fluid communication between the tissue layers over atwo-dimensional or three-dimensional treatment site to extend theeffective treatment area. Furthermore, the barrier and/or diffuser mayextend peripherally into the tissue folds and irregularities to separatetissue layers and enhance fluid transport between the layers andadjacent the barrier and/or diffuser. Enhancement of fluid transportreduces the number of catheters required to transport fluid to and/oraway from the treatment site.

The one or more openings in the wall of the conduit may be positioned atany circumferential position around the wall. They may be placedparallel to the plane of the non-linear path of the terminal end so thatthey open within the space between tissue layers to avoid blocking ofthe openings by overlying tissue.

The barrier and/or diffuser may have a predetermined shaped thatconforms to the margins of a particular surgical site. The shape may bepolygonal, ovoid, spiral, or random shaped.

The terminal end of the catheter may have a first configuration and asecond configuration into which it may be modified. For example, theterminal end may have a deployed configuration for fluid transport to orfrom a treatment site and a delivery or removal configuration. Thedelivery or removal configuration may be smaller than the deployedconfiguration to ease placement or removal of the terminal end at adesired location of a patient's anatomy. For example, the delivery orremoval configuration may be folded, rolled, collapsed, stretched,compressed, twisted, deflated, straightened and/or otherwise manipulatedrelative to the deployed configuration.

The catheter may be placed at the treatment site in an inside-outplacement method in which it is placed in an open wound and theconnection end is passed out of the patient's body leaving the terminalend at the treatment site. Alternatively, the catheter may be placed atthe treatment site in an outside-in placement method in which theterminal end is introduced from outside the patient's body to thetreatment site. Where a surgical incision is present near the treatmentsite, the catheter may extend through the incision. Alternatively, thecatheter may extend through another opening, such as a stab incision,formed for the purpose of passing a portion of the catheter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various examples of the present invention will be discussed withreference to the appended drawings. These drawings depict onlyillustrative examples of the invention and are not to be consideredlimiting of its scope.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of a size variation of the embodiment ofFIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A shown in situat a treatment site;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2B is a partial sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of a variation of the embodiment ofFIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a bottom perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of FIG. 3B;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A shown insitu at a treatment site;

FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 4B is a top perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7B is a detail view of a portion of the embodiment of FIG. 8A; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATIVE EXAMPLES

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative example of a fluid delivery device in theform of a terminal end 100 of a catheter for placement in a patient at atreatment site. The terminal end 100 includes a diffuser body 102 havinga depth 104, width 106, and length 108. A first conduit 110 ispositioned within the diffuser body 102 near a first portion 112 of thebody 102. In use, fluid is transported between the first conduit 110 andthe diffuser body 102. For example, wound fluid may be absorbed by thediffuser and transported to the first conduit 110 via small openings 113through the conduit wall for removal from the treatment site.Alternatively, treatment fluid may be delivered by the first conduit 110to the diffuser body 102 so that the fluid wicks through the diffuserbody 102 to evenly wet a surface 118 of the diffuser body 102 andtransfer to tissues adjacent to the surface 118 at the treatment site.Optionally, a second conduit 114 is positioned adjacent to the diffuserbody 102 near a second portion 116 of the body 102. The conduits 110,114 may be removably positioned allowing them to be withdrawn from thediffuser while leaving the diffuser in place after treatment has beenconcluded. In the illustrative example of FIG. 1A, the first conduit 110is an infusion conduit and the second conduit is an aspiration conduit114. The first, or infusion, conduit 110 delivers treatment fluid to thediffuser body. The aspiration conduit 114 collects and transports bodyfluid and excess treatment fluid away from the treatment site.

An optional fluid impermeable barrier 120 may be positioned on one ormore surfaces of the diffuser body 102 to prevent fluid transportthrough the portion of the diffuser body 102 covered by the barrier.Selection of the diffuser shape, infusion conduit position and flowrate, aspiration conduit position and flow rate, and/or location offluid barriers permits the treatment fluid delivery properties of theterminal end 100 to be tailored. In the illustrative example of FIG. 1,the infusion and aspiration conduits 110, 114 extend only partiallyalong the length of the diffuser body 102 leaving a conduit-free,trimmable portion 122. The trimmable portion 122 is sized to besufficiently short so that the fluid delivery to the trimmable portion122 is not significantly less than the fluid delivery to the rest of thediffuser body 102. This trimmable portion 122 may be trimmed to fit thelength of the terminal end 100 to the treatment site without cuttinginto a fluid conduit and without significantly changing the fluiddelivery properties of the terminal end 100.

FIG. 1B illustrates how a second terminal end 130 may be provided havinga different length 132 than the first terminal end 100 of FIG. 1A. Thelength 108 of the first terminal end 100 may be approximately equal tothe fully trimmed length 134 of the second terminal end 130. Byarranging the lengths in this way, it is possible to provide infiniteadjustability of length within a range of possible lengths ranging fromthe fully trimmed length 136 of the first terminal end 100 to the length132 of the second terminal end 130. Any number of terminal ends may beprovided to cover a desired range of lengths. Likewise, trimmableportions may be provided to allow for adjustment of the depth and widthof the diffuser body 102.

FIG. 1C depicts terminal end 100 placed in the depth of a surgical woundto deliver anesthetic to tissues disrupted during an operation on apatient's spine. The infusion conduit 110 and diffuser body 102distribute the anesthetic over the surface of the diffuser body to treatadjacent tissues. The barrier 120 is positioned on a portion of thediffuser body 102 near a nerve root 142 to protect the nerve root 142from anesthetic treatment fluid. The aspiration conduit 114 ispositioned below the barrier 120 to aspirate body fluids and excessanesthetic.

FIG. 2 depicts a terminal end 200 of a catheter 202 having a length 201,a width 203, and a depth perpendicular to the length 201 and width 203.The end 200 may be formed integrally with the catheter 202 or the end200 may be formed separately from the catheter 202 and joined to it, asshown. The end 200 includes a plurality of fluid conduits 204, 206, 208,210. Adjacent conduits are connected by intermediate portions 212, 214,216 that aid in spacing the conduits 204-210 in desired relativepositions. The intermediate portion 212-216 may be in the form of aflexible sheet and the conduits 204-210 may be formed from shape memorytubing having a first, or rest, shape to which the tubing returns afterbeing constrained to an alternate shape and then released. In theillustrative example of FIG. 2A, the conduits 204-210 are joined at ajunction 218 to a common line 220. The conduits 204-210 are formed tospring away from one another as they extend away from the junction 218.Intermediate portions 212-216 constrain the conduits 204-210 to agenerally parallel, palmate configuration. The conduits 204-210 includeopenings 222 formed through the conduit wall for passage of fluidbetween the interior and exterior of the conduits 204-210. In aninfusion configuration, the intermediate portions 212-216 receive fluidexiting the openings 222 and distribute it over the surface of theterminal end 200. In an aspiration configuration, the intermediateportions 212-216 collect fluids from the treatment site for evacuationvia the openings 222. The intermediate portions 212-216 and openings 222may be positioned so that the openings 222 communicate with only oneside of the intermediate portions 212-216 so that the terminal end 200may be used to preferentially transport fluid to or from some portionsof a treatment site. Alternatively, the intermediate portions 212-216and openings 222 may be positioned so that some openings 222 communicatewith one side of the intermediate members 212-216 and other openings 222communicate with the other side of the intermediate members 212-216 totransport fluid to or from both sides of the terminal end 200.Alternatively, the openings 222 may be positioned so that an opening 222communicates with both sides of the intermediate portions 212-216simultaneously such as by positioning the opening 222 to communicatewith both sides as shown in FIG. 2B. The intermediate portions 212-216may have a fluid impervious surface that allows the fluid to flow acrossthe surface to distribute it in a thin sheet-like fashion. Theintermediate portions 212-216 may have porous surfaces so that they wickthe fluid across an area. The intermediate portions 212-216 may beporous and permeable so that they wick the fluid through them betweenopposite sides of the intermediate portions 212-216. The intermediateportions 212-216 may include a laminate structure having an porous layer224 on one side that wicks fluid and a fluid impervious layer 226 on anopposite side to impede fluid flow as shown in FIG. 2C.

While four fluid conduits 204-210 have been shown, it is to beunderstood that any number of conduits may be used. Furthermore, whiletubular conduits have been depicted, conduits having any cross-sectionalshape may be used including, for example, polygonal, curved, annular,and other cross-sectional shapes.

During delivery, the terminal end 200 can be folded and/or rolled into asmall delivery configuration, not shown, and placed at the treatmentsite. The terminal end is then released whereupon the delivery conduitswill tend to spring away from one another, as permitted by thesurrounding tissue, into the configuration shown in FIG. 2A. In theillustrative example of FIG. 2, the common line 220 has an outsidediameter less than that of the catheter 202 such that a step 230 isformed between them. This change in diameter facilitates removal of theterminal end 200 by withdrawal through an opening in the patient's bodysized for the catheter 202. Pulling on the catheter 202 or common line220 to extract the terminal end 200 from the treatment site tends tocause the conduits 204-210 to move toward one another due to pressurefrom surrounding patient tissues. The terminal end 200 collapses behindthe step 221 to a constrained configuration approximately the samediameter as the catheter 202.

FIG. 3 depicts a terminal end 300 of a catheter 302 having a fluidinfusion side 304 and a fluid aspiration side 306 and including a length301, a width 303, and a depth 305. The terminal end 300 includes anelongated body 308 having a wall 310 (FIG. 3C) defining an outer surface312 and one or more elongated aspiration lumens. In the illustrativeexample of FIG. 3, the wall 310 defines a single, centrally positionedaspiration lumen 314 in fluid communication with a correspondingaspiration conduit 316 (FIG. 3A) of the catheter 302. A plurality ofaspiration openings 318 are spaced along the length of the elongatedbody 308 communicating from the aspiration lumen 314 to the outersurface 312 through the wall 310. The wall 310 further defines one ormore elongated infusion lumens. In the illustrative example of FIG. 3,the wall defines two infusion lumens 320 extending parallel to theaspiration lumen 314 in fluid communication with corresponding infusionconduits 322 (one shown in FIG. 3A) of the catheter 302. A plurality ofinfusion openings 324 are spaced along the length of the elongated body308 communicating from the infusion lumens 320 to the outer surface 312through the wall 310. In the illustrative example of FIG. 3, theinfusion openings 324 are oriented approximately 90 degrees relative tothe aspiration openings 318.

A barrier 326 is attached to the outer surface 312 of the elongated body308 adjacent the aspiration openings 318. In the illustrative example ofFIG. 3, the elongated body 308 is “D”-shaped with a flat side. Thebarrier 326 is attached to the flat side along the length of theelongated body 308 and is configured to lie in a plane with theelongated body 308 projecting outwardly from it. The barrier 326includes openings 328 aligned with and in fluid communication with theaspiration openings 318 to allow fluid flow from adjacent the barriersurface into the aspiration lumen. The barrier 326 is fluid resistantand separates the fluid aspiration side 306 from the fluid infusion side304 of the terminal end 300. In the illustrative example of FIG. 3, thebarrier is a fluid impermeable polyurethane membrane.

A diffuser 330 is attached to the outer surface 312 of the elongatedbody 308 opposite the barrier 326. In the illustrative example of FIG.3, the diffuser 330 conforms to the curved surface of the elongated body308 and is attached to the barrier 326. The infusion openings 324communicate with the diffuser 330. In the illustrative example of FIG.3, the diffuser is a woven polyester fabric that wicks treatment fluidthroughout the diffuser via capillary action.

The infusion side 304 of the terminal end 300 infuses treatment fluidinto a treatment site while the aspiration side 306 aspirates fluid awayfrom a treatment site. The barrier 326 prevents fluid flow directly fromthe infusion openings 324 to the aspiration openings 318. The barrier326 also isolates patient tissues on the aspiration side 306 fromtreatment fluid delivered by the infusion side 304.

In the illustrative example of FIG. 3, the catheter 302 has a largerdiameter than the elongated body 308 and defines a step 334 betweenthem. This change in diameter facilitates removal of the terminal end300 by withdrawal through an opening in the patient's body sized for thecatheter 302. Pulling on the catheter 302 to extract the terminal end300 from the treatment site tends to cause the terminal end 300 tocollapse behind the step 334 for easier passage through the tissueopening.

FIG. 3D illustrates the terminal end 300 placed in tissue 340 that hasbeen disrupted during a surgical procedure. The infusion side 304 isoriented toward tissues to be treated with treatment fluid and theaspiration side 306 is oriented toward an area to be drained and/orisolated from treatment fluid such as a nerve root 342. In use, forexample, the infusion conduits 322 of the catheter are attached to asource of treatment fluid and the aspiration conduit 316 is attached toa vacuum source. Treatment fluid flows along the infusion lumens 320 andout through the infusion openings 324 where it enters the diffuser andis wicked throughout the diffuser and into contact with tissues adjacentto the infusion side 304 of the terminal end of the catheter. Bodyfluids and excess treatment fluid flow through the aspiration openings318, into the aspiration lumen 314, and out through the aspirationconduit 316. The tissue 340 is treated while the nerve 342 is protectedfrom the treatment fluid and the surgical wound is drained.

FIGS. 4A-C depict a terminal end 400 of a catheter 402 similar to thatof FIG. 3 but having an additional member 404 covering the diffuser 330.In the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 4A-C, the member 404 conformsclosely to the diffuser 330 to separate the diffuser from surroundingtissue to prevent tissue from adhering to the diffuser. The member 404may be in the form of a tissue growth inhibiting membrane. For example,the member 404 may be a fluid impermeable polyurethane membrane. Themember 404 is perforated with a plurality of holes 406 to permit fluiddispersed through the diffuser to exit the terminal end 400.

The embodiment of FIGS. 4A-C further includes projections 408 creating atextured surface to improve fluid flow through adjacent openings. Theprojections prevent adjacent tissue from pressing against, or beingdrawn into, and sealing the openings. In the illustrative example, theprojections are a plurality of bumps alternating with openings 328 toimprove drainage from the surgical site. However, the projections 408may be distributed across the surface in a two-dimensional pattern orelsewhere on the terminal end 400 to improve fluid flow. The projectionsmay be molded integrally with the surface, adhered to the surface,formed by deforming the surface, deposited, cast, and/or otherwiseformed. For example, the projections 408 may be formed by depositing aliquid compound and causing it to cure into a solid polymer such as a UVcurable adhesive.

FIG. 5 illustrates an example of how the infusion and aspirationconduits 322, 316 may be configured for insertion through tissuesadjacent a treatment site in an inside-out placement method. A trocar500 includes a leading end with a sharpened tip 502 for penetratingtissue and a hollow trailing end 504 for receiving the catheter 302. Thetrailing end 504 includes a tubular outer wall 506 defining an opening508 at an end opposite the tip 502. The aspiration and infusion conduits322, 316 are received through the opening 506 into the trailing end. Thetrocar 500 and catheter 302 remain joined by friction until asufficiently large force is applied to overcome friction or the end ofthe catheter 302 is cut.

FIG. 6 illustrates an alternate configuration for passing the catheter302. A trocar 600 includes a leading end with a sharpened tip 602 forpenetrating tissue and a trailing end 604 including first and secondbarbs 606, 608. The first barb 606 is sized for insertion into theaspiration conduit 322 in tight friction fitting relationship. Thesecond barb 608 is hollow with an interior bore 610 sized to receive theinfusion conduits 316.

FIG. 7 illustrates a catheter 302 and a passing configuration similar tothe prior examples. However, in the example of FIG. 7 the infusionconduits 316 are inserted into an infusion common line 720 in fluidcommunicating relationship and sealed to the common line 720 such aswith, for example, a UV curable potting adhesive as is commonly usedwith medical fluid tubing. This arrangement reduces the number ofinfusion conduits 316 that must be connected to an infusion apparatusand eliminates the need for a separate “Y”-connector by providing asingle, common line 720 that can be connected. The trocar 710 includes aleading end with a sharpened tip 712 for penetrating tissue and a hollowtrailing end 714 for receiving the aspiration conduit 322 and commonline 720.

FIG. 8 depicts a terminal end 800 of a catheter 802. The terminal end800 includes fluid conduits 804, 806 that curve in an elliptical pathand transport fluid to or from openings 808 on the interior of theelliptical path. A barrier 810 receives the fluid and distributes italong a textured surface. In the illustrative example of FIG. 8, thetexture is provided by grooves 812 formed into the barrier 810. Thegrooves 812 aid in fluid flow by wicking fluid across the fluidimpervious barrier 810 surface. The fluid might otherwise be blocked byabutment of patient tissues. The barrier 810 surface may be textured bystamping, knurling, roughening, and/or by other suitable means. Thebarrier surface may also be textured by forming raised lines, bumps,ridges, and/or other suitable features. The barrier surface may betextured by adhering a textile to the surface. For example a network offibers may be adhered to the surface so that fluids may wick across thesurface. Each of the various examples of terminal ends described hereinhave a length, a width, and a depth. The length of the terminal end mayvary over a broad range to suit a variety of treatment sites. Forexample, the length may range from a few millimeters to tens ofcentimeters. In particular, the length may range from 1 to 30centimeters. More particularly the length may range from 5 to 20centimeters. The width of the terminal end may vary over a broad rangeto suit a variety of treatment sites. For example, the width may rangefrom a few millimeters to tens of centimeters. In particular, the widthmay range from 0.5 to 30 centimeters. More particularly the width mayrange from 1 to 15 centimeters. The depth of the terminal end may varyover a broad range to suit a variety of treatment sites. For example,the depth may range from a fractions of a millimeter to tens ofmillimeters. In particular, the depth may range from 0.5 to 20millimeters. More particularly the depth may range from 0.5 to 10millimeters.

A treatment kit may be provided including one or more cathetersaccording to various aspects of the invention. Optionally, the kit mayinclude a diffuser. Optionally, the kit may include a protective barrierthat may be placed separately from the catheter to shield specifictissues. Optionally the kit may include an infusion pump.

In describing aspects of the invention, various examples have beendescribed. It is to be understood that the features from one example maybe incorporated into other examples.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of transporting fluid between atreatment site of a patient and a location outside of the patient, themethod comprising: providing a catheter having a first elongated fluidconduit having an outer diameter; a second elongated fluid conduit; anda terminal end locatable at the treatment site, the first elongatedfluid conduit defining a fluid path to the terminal end and the secondelongated conduit defining a fluid path from the terminal end, theterminal end comprising: a first fluid exchange portion defining a firstouter surface and a first lumen in fluid communication with the firstelongated fluid conduit, the first fluid exchange portion having atleast one opening communicating between the first lumen and the firstouter surface; and a second fluid exchange portion defining a secondouter surface and a second lumen in fluid communication with the secondelongated fluid conduit, the second fluid exchange portion having atleast one opening communicating between the second lumen and the secondouter surface; and a barrier having a first barrier surface and anopposing second barrier surface, the first lumen being in fluidcommunication with the first barrier surface and the second lumen beingin fluid communication with the second barrier surface; placing theterminal end from the location outside of the patient, through a tissueopening, to a location inside of the patient at the treatment site;positioning the barrier to bias fluid flow at the treatment site toimpede fluid flow in a non-preferential direction; and operating thecatheter to deliver fluid to the first barrier surface; and extractingthe terminal end through the tissue opening to transition the barrierfrom a deployed configuration to a collapsed configuration having amaximum cross-sectional dimension not exceeding the outer diameter ofthe catheter.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising operating thecatheter to remove fluid from the second barrier surface.
 3. The methodof claim 1 wherein the catheter further comprises a diffuser in fluidcommunication with the first barrier surface, the method furthercomprising: wicking fluid via the diffuser to treat a surface area oftissues at the treatment site.
 4. The method of claim 3 wherein thefirst elongated fluid conduit and the second elongated fluid conduit arecontained in a multi-lumen conduit, the multi-lumen conduit and theterminal end defining a junction between them, a multi-lumen conduitportion of the junction having a first junction outer transversedimension and a terminal end portion of the junction having a secondjunction outer transverse dimension, the first junction outer transversedimension being larger than the second junction outer transversedimension, the multi-lumen conduit and the terminal end forming a stepbetween them, the method further comprising: collapsing the barrier anddiffuser behind the step to facilitate passage of the terminal endthrough patient tissues at the treatment site.